The Kidneys

Describe the filtration process of the capillary endothelium

Answer:

- Fenestrated to allow for diffusion of solutes including plasma proteins- Allows for most components of the plasma to filter through the endothelium- Small enough to prevent blood cells from leaving the capillary

- blood
flowing through the glomerular capillaries forces fluid through the leaky
endothelium; This pressure favours filtration into Bowman's capsule (55 mm Hg). - Remains higher than opposing pressure to allow filtration to take place along nearly the entire length of the glomerular capillaries

- Absorbs more than 99% of organic nutrients found in the fluid- Absorbs sodium, potassium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate and sulfate ions- As reabsorption occurs the concentration of the solute in the tubular fluid decreases while it increases in the peritubular fluid and capillaries